Locked On Mariners - Daily Podcast On the Seattle Mariners - Who Should Mariners Fans Root For as Clash For AL West Crown Awaits?

Starting point is 00:00:00 It's the biggest week of the entire regular season, and we're kicking things off with Mailbag Monday. Colby, hit it. You are Locked-on Mariners, your daily Seattle Mariners podcast, part of the Locked-on Podcast Network, your team every day. Ahoy, Sailors, it is Monday, September 15th, 2025. This is Tadding Azolus and Colby Patnode for the Lockdown Marys Podcast, part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day.

Starting point is 00:00:32 This episode is brought to you by Fandul. right now new customers can bet just $5, and if you bet wins, you'll get $300 in bonus bets to use across the app. Download the Fanduala app today. And as always, if you want to hear from me and Colby even more and help support the show, you can check out our Patreon. All you have to do to check that out is click the link in the description of this episode.

Starting point is 00:00:53 Let's open up the mailback like we do here every Monday and answer some of your merrious questions. We'll also do our daily magic number update towards the end of the show. But let's kick things off here with a question from Nick. wants to know what a lot of you want to know who the heck should I be rooting for in this Texas Houston series which is starting to night. This is an interesting question that we assumed would be asked a bunch because it is

Starting point is 00:01:17 a bit tricky. I know that the boys on the post game show they think you should be rooting for Houston or sorry for Texas to sweep Houston. I actually disagree with them. I want Houston to beat Texas because I can take care of Houston myself. Like it is possible that I can win two out of three against Kansas City. And even if they sweep, even if the Astros sweep the Rangers, they would just still be tied with me in first place. And I can win two out of three this weekend and have the tiebreaker and be up one game going into the last six.

Starting point is 00:01:57 So because Houston is still on the schedule, I still have three cracks at them. I think I want Houston to put Texas to bed, is what I'm hoping for. Right now, Texas is three games behind you. If you could pick up two games on them this weekend, it's technically four, by the way. I was about to say, you pick up two games in the next three, then they're five behind you.

Starting point is 00:02:19 And at that point, it's really six with nine games to go. I mean, it's not impossible, but it's highly unlikely that they're going to take that from you. And so it's kind of weird. Like I get why you might want Texas to win because you want to push Houston further behind you before you start this series. And again, if Texas does sweep Houston and you sweep Kansas City, that's probably the best case scenario. Because at that point, you're four games up for the division lead. And, you know, if you win one of these games, the tiebreaker is probably not going to matter. And you're going to look really good to win the division.

Starting point is 00:02:55 So I understand that side of things. but to me, I want to push Texas out of the playoff race. And I feel like Houston is the last best team to try and do that to Texas. So because I can handle Houston myself, I think I want Texas to win. Again, I understand Houston's got an easier end schedule than Texas, barely. But in Seattle, still has to play the Dodgers. But because they have to play the Dodgers, I would really like those last three games to not mean that much. So I think I want Texas to be, you know, not eliminated, but basically eliminated.

Starting point is 00:03:32 And I think you want to take two or three from Houston or win that series against Houston and then take your chances in the last six games with a one two game lead, something like that against the Astros, hopefully with the tiebreaker as well. So for that reason, I'm actually rooting for Houston to beat Texas this, you know, in this three game series. And whatever Houston does, I need the Mariners to do that. at or better. So if Houston wins two out of three, then Seattle wins two out of three. I'm happy with that or more. You know, who knows, but Mary's already won nine in a row. So to expect them to win 12 in a row.

Starting point is 00:04:08 Again, not impossible, but like they won 14 in a row one time. Sure, but it feels like there's a loss. Like, we know they're not going to run the table. They're not going to go 21 and 0 in their lot. So they're going to lose games. And Kansas City is a tough matchup for them because of their speed and their athleticism. And it's a tough ballpark for them to play in because they don't have great outfield defense.

Starting point is 00:04:29 And you're going to face Michael Walker and you're going to face Cole Reagan's. We'll talk about that tomorrow. Sure. So I think I would actually say I'd rather Houston win their series because I get a chance to take all that. Whatever they gain, whatever they might gain on you, you have a chance to take it all right back and put yourself in prime position regardless of what they do against the Rangers. So I think I would actually prefer Houston to win. yeah i would rather just keep pace with houston and make sure that texas is no longer breathing down my neck the goal at the end of the day is just get in right yeah that's my number one priority is just

Starting point is 00:05:10 getting in now obviously the magic number as we'll talk about a little later on the show is now tied to both cleveland and texas for the time being because they both have the uh the same max win total and you have the tiebreaker against both so you know, there's also the question about who are you rooting for in this Tiger's Guardian series because you know, catching Detroit, if you win the division, catching Detroit is basically like winning

Starting point is 00:05:36 a playoff series because you get to buy you're automatically in the ALDS. Sure. But I would just rather that that creeping thought in the back of my mind of, oh, I could possibly fall out still. Like there's an actual risk of that happening. I would like for that to

Starting point is 00:05:52 just go away. And that point. And I think there's a there's a balance you can strike of getting rid of that, but also maintaining your competitiveness for the division. I think that's why I think ideally what you're rooting for is you're rooting for Houston to take two out of three so that you take two out of three. You go into Houston up a game. Texas is, you know, down at that point, what, four games? If they took one, one out of three and you won two out of three, they'd be down four games, really five with the tiebreaker. And there'd be nine games left. That's a lot of ground to make up for them to catch you. And then obviously,

Starting point is 00:06:27 you have to keep an eye on Cleveland and Boston and New York as well. Still a lot up in the air right now. But yeah, I just, to me, I'm rooting for Houston to, you know, take two out of three. Or I'm rooting for Houston really to do whatever Seattle does to match it or, you know, Seattle wants to go three and O and Houston wants to go two and one, like even better. But yeah, I'm still rooting for Houston to win that series. Yeah, absolutely. And even if they go, you know, two and one in that series and you go one and two against the royals you're still in a really good spot going into that series this weekend so yeah uh i think you can absolutely live with the uh

Starting point is 00:07:04 the astros winning this series and i think that's honestly the preferred route here just so you can have some of that pressure of just making the playoffs left off your shoulders a little bit but you also need the tigers to do their part against the guardians uh as well let us know who you are rooting for in this rangers astro series and as a bonus who are you rooting for in the guardians tiger series because both of those results could also possibly impact the mariners let us know we will get back into your questions here in just a moment but first a reminder this episode of the lockdown marries podcast is brought to you by fanduel and price picks the NFL season is here and fan duel is making sure you're ready for kickoff with a can't miss offer right now new customers

Starting point is 00:07:49 can bet just five dollars and if you bet wins you'll get $300 in bonus bets to use across the app. Fanduel makes every game more exciting, whether you're watching your team or just keeping an eye on your fantasy lineup. It's quick, easy, and the best way to add a little more energy to Sundays. So are you ready to play? Download the Fandual app now by visiting Fandual.com to get started. That's Fandual.com to place your first $5 bet.

Starting point is 00:08:16 This episode of Locktime Mariners is brought to you by prize picks. The Daily Fantasy app where making the right call can actually pay off. You and I make decisions every day, but on prize picks, being right means cashing in. With football back, prize picks is the simplest and fastest way to get in on the action. Just pick more or less on two to six player projections and you can turn your takes into real prizes, all in less than 60 seconds. It's quick, easy, and a great way to follow along with football. Download the price picks app today and use the promo code Locked-on MLB to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup. That's promo code LOC, KED, O N MLB for $50 in lineups after your first $5 play.

Starting point is 00:09:01 Price picks, it's good to be right. And you're listening to the Lockdown Mariners podcast for instant reactions following every Mariners game. Be sure to tune into the Mariner's postcast with Anderson Hurst and Christopher Crawford available on both the Lockdown Mariner's YouTube and podcast feeds. Let's get back into your questions here on Mailbag Monday. Scott wants to know what this road trip being. as important as it is, what do you think has been

Starting point is 00:09:26 the marriage problems on the road and how do they overcome them? Pitching, pitching, pitching, pitching, and pitching, specifically the starting pitching. I don't think it's as simple of a matter as the balls that are typically out at T-Mobile Park are turning into more doubles and home runs on the road. I don't think it's as simple as that.

Starting point is 00:09:48 I think mechanically, mentally, these guys just haven't been in the right spot more often than not on the road. Luis Castillo is a great example of that. The Atlanta start notwithstanding. George Kirby and Tampa Bay, I think, is a great example of that. Right. I mean, you've also spent a lot of time out on the road prior to this last homestan.

Starting point is 00:10:14 You had a, you know, you had a 10-game road trip. And then before that, you had a nine-game road trip and sandwiched in between was like a six-game homestand. So you've spent about two-thirds of your time on the road in your recent road struggles. And it just so happened to be that George Kirby was kind of struggling at that time, both home and road. His command wasn't where it needed to be. Luis was in that funk.

Starting point is 00:10:37 And it just so happened that a couple of those starts landed with him on the road. And so, you know, those guys weren't throwing the ball well. And then, yeah, they obviously throw better at Team Mobile Park. It's more forgiving of a ballpark. But them, you know, struggling on the road happens to coincide with them. just flat out struggling, typically with their command and control. And for Kirby, we know command is utterly important. And for Castillo, the control is really the important.

Starting point is 00:11:02 He's got to throw strikes, good strikes. So, you know, for both of those guys in particular, the command was the problem. Logan has just kind of been a mixed bag all year. You never really know what you're going to get. And it doesn't honestly seem to matter home road for Logan. He's had his struggles at Team Mobile Park at times this year as well, not as pronounced. But so, yeah, it's just kind of one of those weird things where to me it's, it's been the

Starting point is 00:11:28 starting pitching, like you said, and it's their command. Go back and watch those games. Look at how many fast balls were just dead center of the plate. Look at how many hanging, breaking balls they threw. Look at how many hitters counts they got into because they, especially Luis Castillo, because he would, you know, arm side miss three fast balls in a row. And then he would have to put one down the pipe because he can't hit that inside corner. so he's got to throw it down the middle of the plate and hope for the best.

Starting point is 00:11:54 And Luis doesn't have that stuff anymore. So yeah, it's one of those things. To me, it's all about command and control. You have to get in good pitchers counts. You have to execute two strike pitches. You have to end those at-bats efficiently. When a hitter gets to an 0-2-1-2 count, the at-bat should be over. Like you shouldn't be giving up walks on that count.

Starting point is 00:12:13 You should have been giving up hits on that count. And you especially shouldn't be giving up damage, extra base hits in those counts. You have to figure out a way to put that hitter to bed. because that will kill your pitch count. And if you're throwing 80 pitches to get through four, you're exhausted. And you don't have much left for the fifth, even though you've, you know, technically have 20 pitches or so left. You know, pitch counts aren't created equal. 100 pitches in five innings is much more difficult than 100 pitches in seven.

Starting point is 00:12:40 So it's just one of those things where they're falling behind. Then they're having to challenge guys down the middle of the plate. When they get to two strikes, when they do get ahead, they're not putting them away in an effective manner, which means they're throwing a lot. of high stress pitches and those pitches leak over the middle of the plate and they're not getting away with them. So to me, it's all about command and control and being efficient. You have to be efficient on the road. You have to be efficient everywhere, but especially on the road, when you get to two strikes, that at bat needs to be over. It should be rare that a runner reaches with two strikes. And for the Mariners, it really hasn't been this year. So especially Kirby

Starting point is 00:13:18 and especially Castillo when they're struggling. And we saw that a lot the road, you know, over the last couple starts out there. So hopefully that'll be better. You know, sometimes you just have to get home. You know, you can be a little more aggressive and just that free, you know, the freedom that you have to like, I can make a mistake here and I'll probably be okay. And that can just help you refine things instead of just being like, I have to be perfect, perfect, perfect. And when you're not, you just feel that. So I think there's a mentality thing of just getting right at home and then going out on the road. But 100%. It's the starting pitching and it is all about command and control with all five of these guys.

Starting point is 00:13:54 Yep. And so you're going to need to have great starting pitching on this road trip. Because you're going to have to go blow for blow with guys like Michael Waka and Hunter Brown and Framber Valdez. And even Cole Regans. Yeah. And we'll see how much Reagan's is able to pitch in that Wednesday game. But again, we'll talk about that tomorrow.

Starting point is 00:14:14 But yeah, you're going to face some really good pitchers on this road trip. and, you know, the Astros are throwing their two best guys at you. You know, you're countering with your best guys in that series as well. You're going to need those guys to have the games of their lives in that series. We'll talk about that, you know, when we get to that series. But that's how you're going to have a successful road trip. All right, Max wants to know, besides the Etsy which, are there any numbers that show how the Marys have won nine straight? Anything you've specifically noticed?

Starting point is 00:14:47 I mean, it's the bullpen. Yeah. The bullpen had to cover 38 innings over the course of the wind streak. They gave up one earned run. They walked like six guys. I'm pretty sure three of them were intentional walks, by the way. Yep. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:15:04 So I think they had the second most strikeouts of any bullpen over that stretch. They were sensational. And it was everyone. It was literally everyone in that bullpen contributed to it. Everybody got a big out or had a big inning. or had a big game out of that bullpen. All 10 guys because they had to use an extra guy because they couldn't stop playing extra inning games.

Starting point is 00:15:29 So yes, the easy answer here is the bullpen was spectacular. I would be remiss if I didn't mention. They also were playing the Braves, the Cardinals, and the Angels. Three teams who have absolutely given up on this year and weren't fielding their best rosters because guys were nicked up and they were hurt and they're just like, yeah, why risk it? And all that.

Starting point is 00:15:50 So that is part of it. Like, whether you like it or not, that is a, that is a factor. The Mariners were playing bad teams. And they played a lot of close games with bad teams. So that may be a little, a little sketchy there, but they didn't win all of them. They won nine, all nine of them. Well, nine of ten, maybe count the Brave series. And, you know, again, like give credit to the starters this weekend.

Starting point is 00:16:12 They mostly did their job as well. But it was the bullpen is the reason that you've won. nine in a row and the quality of the opponent. I think those kind of go hand in hand, but obviously certainly more credit goes to the bullpen because it wasn't just Munoz and Brash and Vizarro. You needed everybody and they all stepped up. So that's the reason.

Starting point is 00:16:33 That also Luis Castillo's start was huge when they desperately needed innings from him. They desperately needed a really good start out of him. That was huge. You know, Brian Wu's great start. Like just the pitching in general, but definitely the bullpen. The bullpen was insane. And that came out of nowhere.

Starting point is 00:16:52 Yeah. The bullpen got hung out to dry a couple of times in this, in this wind streak. And they just didn't care. They did their job. They answered the bell every single time. Yeah. And it didn't matter who it was. Luke Jackson, Emerson Hancock.

Starting point is 00:17:07 Jose Castillo, who's not even here anymore. Thank you for your service, Jose Castillo. Seriously. Yeah. Yeah. Like. Yeah. So everyone. Everyone.

Starting point is 00:17:16 one. All right. Jeff wants to know is anything less than a four and two road trip of failure? No, uh, go three and three. I mean, well, how does how does the Astros? The success. That's a huge success. Yeah. If you sweep the Astros, the Royal Series doesn't end up mattering at all. Yeah. I mean, well, I mean, I guess technically it could if the Astros sweep the Rangers. But even then, you're, if you sweep the Astros, you're one game up with the tiebreak. with six games to go. So, yeah. Four and two should be, I think, the goal.

Starting point is 00:17:51 You win both series. You feel pretty good about it. You come back home. But they could go three and three. It just kind of depends on how the three and three goes. And, you know, do they lose the Astro series and go three and three? And it's probably a little bit of a, of a, I don't say disaster. Because at that point, it depends.

Starting point is 00:18:08 What did the Rangers do? What did the guardians do? What did the Red Sox do? So we're at the point of the year where one individual result, really can't be disastrous. You have to look at what everybody else did around you. You're at that point. So a loss can be really, really bad or it can end up being not that painful of a loss,

Starting point is 00:18:28 really. But it's dependent on everybody else, whereas every win, though, is massive. It's huge. So four and two should be the goal. But could they go three and three and still have a successful road trip? Yes, absolutely they could. Two and four, probably not. I think if those two wins come in the Astros series,

Starting point is 00:18:46 then maybe. Three and three, you have to go at least three and three, I think. But if you go three and three, and again, if you win that Astros series, if you sweep the Astros, the Kansas City series is pretty irrelevant. So, yeah, I wouldn't count on that. Don't count on sweeping the Astros.

Starting point is 00:19:05 Still go out there and win the series. But there is a way they could go three and three and three and still have a successful road trip, sure. Blonde Madison Beer wants to know when will Ben Williamson come back? At this stage, probably never. 2026. I mean. I think he should be back. I mean, should, but like he's obviously.

Starting point is 00:19:23 I think he brings more value to you right now than Cole Young does. Agreed, but they haven't made that move yet. I mean, it's an off day today. So maybe they announce it today or tomorrow. But I'm just saying, like if, if my name was Jerry Depoto, I would send Cole Young down to AAA and call up Ben Williamson. And Tacoma is going to make the playoffs. so like even if like you could just have Cole Young play through the duration of the playoffs too down there even if you want to add him to the playoff roster there's an outside shot he gets added to

Starting point is 00:19:54 the playoff roster I think we have a question about that in a minute I don't know you picked it or not no okay so yeah there's an outside shot he makes the playoff roster because in a three game series you don't need to carry 13 pitchers the mirrors might do it anyways but you don't need to you certainly don't not in the three game series uh so they have an opportunity to carry five six dudes on the bench uh and if they do having elite third base defense late in the game is probably more valuable than having say taylor saw sato be the third lefty out of your bullpen so it's possible they do that again i think i would have them up right now uh send cole young down but i don't get a feeling that they're going to do that but they might it's certainly

Starting point is 00:20:40 still in the card. So it could be as soon as tomorrow. It could be not till 2026. And it could be never. Honestly, they could trade Ben Williamson this winter and it'll be never. Like, so don't really have a good answer to your question, but it should be now. There's a chance it's for the playoffs. He's on that that playoff roster. But there's also a chance that he never plays for the mergers again, not to be too ominous. But yeah. So everything's on the table right now. All right, we have one more question to answer, and then we will do our magic number update in just a moment. But first, a reminder, this episode of the Locktime Marriss podcast is brought to you by Nutraful. You've probably seen a million ads for hair growth products and thought, yeah, sure, like that actually works.

Starting point is 00:21:28 And I don't blame you because there are so many products out there. And it is so hard to know which ones are actually going to do anything. That's why you should give Nutriful a closer look. Nutraful is the number one dermatologist's recommended hair growth supplement brand, trusted by over 1.5 million people. And it's not just hype. This is a supplement clinically tested that targets the root causes of thinning and shedding with a proactive approach.

Starting point is 00:21:56 See thicker, stronger hair with less shedding in just three to six months with Nutraful. And for a limited time, Nutraful is offering locked on Mariner's listeners $10 off your first month subscription and free shipping when you go to Neutrophil. dot com and enter the promo code locked on MLB. That's neutroful.com promo code LOC, KED, O NMLB. And you're listening to the Lockdown Mariners podcast. Let's get into our final question of the day, which comes from NWFXSEA. We want to know who's starting game one if you get to align the rotation to your preferred spots.

Starting point is 00:22:36 Brian Wu. Brian Wu. There's literally no other option. Brian Wu. Nobody's even competing. for consideration. Yeah, Wu is perfectly lined up for that right now. He's set to pitch in the final game

Starting point is 00:22:47 of the Rocky series. Now, with the off day next Monday, if they need him to pitch against the Dodgers, they could push him back a day to pitch in the end game one of the Dodgers series. And even at that point, he would still be lined. I think he would still get four days for us. He did two days off after the

Starting point is 00:23:04 regular season in. So yeah. Yeah. So it's Brian Wu. It's Brian. I just don't see how how it could not be Brian Wu. I don't care about the opponent. I don't care about the location. The answer is Brian Wu.

Starting point is 00:23:18 There is nobody even in the conversation with him. It is Brian Wu, 50 feet of you know what, than everybody else. The real question is who starts game two. I think Logan. I think that probably depends on location and opponent. But yeah, Logan would be my best guess. without knowing any specifics. If you're home, then probably Luis

Starting point is 00:23:45 for game three. If you're playing the Astros, you might go George, but we'll see. Yeah, yeah, we'll see. If you're playing the Yankees, probably still George, but we'll see. All right, it's time for the magic number updates. So the magic number for the merits to get into the playoffs can go down tonight, unfortunately. So there isn't really anything to watch for there.

Starting point is 00:24:09 So just chill tonight. Watch some ball. You know, I assume a lot of you We're going to be watching the Astros Rangers series. But even if the Rangers lose, the magic number doesn't go down because both them and the guardians have the same max wind total of 91. The Mariners obviously have the tiebreaker over them. So the tiebreaker or so the magic number is going to stay at nine because the guardians don't play tonight.

Starting point is 00:24:32 They start their series with the Tigers tomorrow. The magic number for the division would go down, obviously, if the Astros lost tonight. I believe the magic number there is 12. that's if the marries don't win the tiebreaker between them and houston and it's 11 if they do win the tiebreaker so that goes down to 11 slash 10 tonight if the uh the astros lose right and that's that's really it i don't know if the do you know if the red sox or the yankees are playing um the yankees are playing the twins okay yeah and the red slugs Red Sox are not.

Starting point is 00:25:15 Yeah, Red Sox star a series against the A's tomorrow in Boston. It's pesky A's. Yeah. So the Yankees, I believe you're only half a game worse than they are right now. They obviously have the tiebreaker on you. So, yeah. So you would have to clear them by a full game. And they've got some pretty easy series coming up.

Starting point is 00:25:35 It's the Twins. It's the Orioles. It's the White Sox. And then it's the Orioles again. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that you are, not going to catch the Yankees, but you know, crazier things have happened, sure. So there is a route here to, basically my whole point here

Starting point is 00:25:52 is that there is a route here, like a legit one, to actually hosting playoff games without winning the division. But you have to surpass the Yankees in order to do that. And if you're going to have the final 12 games, you're probably going to need to have to keep up with them and then pass them with all the easy teams that they're going up against, you probably win in the division anyway. So it doesn't even matter at that point, I would say.

Starting point is 00:26:22 Yeah. So, but yeah, you know, just something to keep an eye on. And then, you know, the Red Sox continue to root for the Red Sox to lose because that just gives you more of a buffer between you and the Guardians and the Rangers. Yep. So, yeah, that's pretty much it. Like I said, not a ton can happen tonight for you. outside of the divisional magic number going down.

Starting point is 00:26:47 So just kick back, relax. It's your only chance to do so the rest of the way here, really. We'll see, you know, how things. On that Monday. Yeah, we'll see how things look on that Monday. We'll see how things look. But could be big chilling by next Monday. That'd be great.

Starting point is 00:27:05 Or we could all have ulcers. Really not much of an in-between. Yeah. So, yeah. Just, you know, enjoy some ball tonight. Just win, baby. That's right. That is going to do it for our show.

Starting point is 00:27:20 Thank you so much for joining us here on the Lockdown Marries podcast. Colby Pat Nod. I'm Tadden Gazzalas. Be sure to give us a follow on Twitter at L0 underscore Merrers. You can follow me at Tadine G. Colby at C-Pat 11. That's C-PAT-1. We're also on Blue Sky.

Starting point is 00:27:32 You can follow me at TDG, Colby at MLB Colby and the show at Lockdown Merrers. You can also find us on Instagram at Lockdown Merrars. Have yourself a beautiful baseball day, and we'll see you next time. Peace.

Locked On Mariners - Daily Podcast On the Seattle Mariners - Who Should Mariners Fans Root For as Clash For AL West Crown Awaits?

There aren't comments yet for this episode. Click on any sentence in the transcript to leave a comment.